Chapter 5

The Youngest Prince of the Pea Flour House - Chapter 5 (5/205)

The Eastern Roman Empire despised us Westerners.

The proud Eastern Romans, who could not forget the uncivilized Westerners who lived as hunters during the Roman Empire era, began to feel jealousy as we Westerners have recently become successful.

Prince Regent, seeing Peter and I trying to suppress our laughter, blushed and said,

"Uncle, please do not raise your voice. Apologize properly. What kind of behavior is this?"

"Your Highness, I was rude. Please forgive me. This kind of diplomatic faux pas will not happen again."

The voice of the Eastern Roman royal became a bit more humble. Of course, it was in Latin.

However, a lump remained in my heart, like floating pea flour.

So I gave a slight retort.

"Ha, it seems our England is not a kingdom but a barony."

A resentful remark to a prince of a country who is over 13 years old.

Our England is absolutely not to be underestimated.

Though our family is known as the Pea Flour House, we belong to the emerging powerful nations of today!

The Battle of Bouvines, the greatest blunder of King John in the original history, has not even started yet.

We still hold territories in Western France.

Even in the French territories, many nobles support us, not the French.

Of course, as it is the feudal era, there are many formalities.

Our England, which will be known as the Angevin Empire in the future,

Even the current Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel I, among the Western countries he is wary of, where is the emerging theme stock?

Our England, which has firmly taken over Western France.

But somehow, the apology seems a bit premature.

Is there something to gain from our England?

"I have a question. Why have the guests from the 'Empire' come to the British Isles? And why has the Prince of Royal Blood come?"

It's hard not to be suspicious. Although the Eastern Roman Empire is a powerful nation, even if you curse the Greek Empire,

It is a country that the current Emperor Manuel I has brought back to normal after the empire was beaten down to the brink of destruction by Islamic forces.

Of course, apart from that, he has not been able to completely drive out the annoying Sultanate of Rum from Anatolia, which is right in front of him.

Of course, contrary to the preconception that the Middle Ages were a dark age,

It is also an era of knights who live and die for romance.

Perhaps, outwardly, they came to see me, the rival who seeks the love of Princess Agnes.

But I thought, do they really need to send a royal from the Eastern Roman Empire for just that reason?

Through the history lessons I learned at the palace, I know well the current situation of the Eastern Roman Empire in the late 12th century.

Thanks to the capable Emperor Manuel I, the Eastern Roman Empire has gradually regained its strength,

But there are still many unstable factors, such as the Sultanate of Rum next door.

Yet, by sending the next successor, the Prince Regent,

What message are they trying to send to us, the Western power of England?

Absolutely not.

"Think about what Prince John did to Princess Agnes. How much trouble it caused me."

Of course, the Prince Regent seems unwilling to tell me the reason.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry, but that is a matter for the King of England to discuss."

"A matter to discuss with my father? Then I will take my leave."

Just as he was about to leave,

"Prince John. Do you... really see me as nothing?"

Prince Alexios said something strange.

"I only hope that you have a pleasant stay in England."

As I left, saying that,

"Did I mishear? It can't be."

I clearly heard the Prince Regent muttering.

**

My father, Henry II, was too busy with various Eastern Roman issues to even visit his mistress in France.

The meeting between my father and the guests from the Eastern Roman Empire seemed to be quite long.

The name of the royal uncle is Andronikos. What a difficult name.

But even after thinking about it, I still don't understand why the current Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel I sent his precious son, Prince Alexios, to the island nation of England.

It wasn't until a week later that my father called me.

"John, it's been a while."

I said, seeing the face of Henry II.

"Father, you look quite tired."

"Ha, only you, John, are worried about me."

Henry II, who lost the support of our family due to his inability to control his desires.

I am the only one who truly worries about this poor king.

After all, I am a safe zone, unable to lead a rebellion due to my lack of ability.

Of course, that doesn't mean I am a weak and affectionate prince.

"There seem to be many things for Father to enjoy in France and England."

Referring to the mistresses he visits every night.

"Ahem..."

This is how the good youngest son gives a gentle scolding. My appearance is not bad either!

Princess Agnes continues to refuse our engagement but still meets me,

Is it because of my good looks?

Of course, just as I can't boast about being the top student in high school,

In front of the handsome men in this family, I am just ordinary.

Honestly, I inherited the good looks of my handsome father, Henry II, and the most beautiful woman in France, Eleanor.

So, did the Eastern Roman Prince Regent try to check me out?

"The Eastern Roman Empire side was the first to be rude to you?"

"Yes."

Of course, I almost died trying to suppress my laughter rather than feeling angry.

"Those Greeks still have a lot of pride."

Did you cause a commotion in front of Father?

Henry II sighed and said,

"I really don't understand the Eastern Roman Empire. What are the old emperor and the shameless Greek nobles up to?"

"Father, I don't know about diplomacy."

Please don't talk about difficult things,

As I said this, I stared at my father's face.

At my honest words,

My father smiled broadly.

"Indeed, you are honest! John! Yes, you don't know about diplomacy."

He patted my head while saying this.

"I have made it clear to the Prince Regent of the Eastern Roman Empire. They won't be rude to you again."

After the meeting with Father,

I looked at the neither gloomy nor sunny sky of London and had many thoughts.

How stupid the original King John was,

Even I, who only superficially know British history while studying French history, know well.

But after becoming Prince John myself,

I began to think that Prince John might actually be a victim of history.

Of course, the foolish mistake of losing all the territories in France is something he deserves to be criticized for,

But did he fall for the gaslighting of the French and turn the Plantagenet family into the Pea Flour House?

Anyway, as I stepped outside into the cool breeze, I had romantic thoughts.

"Peter."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Why did the Greek friends come to such a backwater?"

"It's not a backwater."

"Did I say something wrong?"

Honestly, compared to the territories in Western France that my brothers gradually took over,

England is indeed a backwater.

So, it's not a place where guests from the 'world empire' of the Eastern Roman Empire would come.

"Those Greeks! Have they become so desperate that they need the despised Western friends?"

"I am not a Western-hater, but you are right."

Oh, what a surprise.

The Prince Regent of the Eastern Roman Empire made a surprise appearance!

"Hasn't the Prince Regent of the Eastern Roman Empire returned to his country yet?"

"Ah, there is still much to do. Ah, I apologize again for my rudeness last time."

The Prince Regent of the Eastern Roman Empire became a bit more humble.

I don't know why, but his tone seemed more humble?

Although my father is the King of England with many lovers,

And a shameful ruler who fought over women with his second son, Richard, he wouldn't have threatened to make the Westerners truly despise them.

Diplomacy is about reason, not emotion.

"No, I was also rude."

The atmosphere improved,

We exchanged a few polite words,

"Let's go inside now."

Just as I was about to part ways with the Prince Regent,

The Prince Regent suddenly lunged forward.

"Actually, our Roman Empire is stagnant."

"Huh?"

The Prince Regent, who was arrogant just a moment ago,

Looked at me with a self-deprecating face.

It's not something a young prince should say?

"Despite my father's efforts, we have not been able to reclaim the old homeland (Anatolia) invaded by the infidels (Muslims). But unlike us, England has gained the western part of the French continent."

Yes, Western France is a delicious territory for us.

Honestly, the territories that caused rebellions due to their richness in milk and honey,

But why should we care about that!

"Why are you telling me this?"

His admission of fault and the fact that he doesn't seem to be a one-sided Western-hater was unexpected,

But the sense of unease was overwhelming.

"I am appealing to you as a rival. The reason I want Princess Agnes is because our Roman Empire is weakening."

"Huh?"

As I asked in confusion, Prince Alexios clenched his fist and said,

"Actually, I was born too late. That was a mistake."

Somehow, his words seem to be getting very long.

**

Peter, who silently watched the conversation between Prince John and the Prince Regent of the Eastern Roman Empire.

'Indeed, our Prince.'

Although he is often playful, Peter serves his half-brother John with affection, seeing him as a kind lord.

Our Peter has been smart since childhood.

He quickly realized that the reason for his birth was the 'desires' of Henry II, who fell in love with his noble mother's face.

He also understood why his noble maternal grandfather never recognized him.

'Bastard'

A status of a bastard, not legally recognized from birth.

And the fate of his half-brothers, who are in the same situation.

Thus, he mastered the art of cautious conduct at a young age.

Although he never considered suicide, which God does not allow,

Every day was a continuous pain.

He consoled himself with rye bread given by his maternal family as if it were a charity.

A destiny to become a clergyman!

Then a prince approached Peter.

His half-brother, Prince John, the suitable youngest prince of the English royal family.

He came to find Peter, who was studying in a shabby appearance.

From then on, Peter's life began to change.

Although the stigma of being a bastard did not disappear,

He was freed from the treatment as a foreigner by his maternal family.

He began to serve a kind and gentle lord.

The intelligent Peter felt great gratitude for being chosen by a legitimate prince.

He knew it was not an easy thing.

As the sun began to set, his lord, who had finished talking with Prince Alexios, came back looking tired.

"Ha, I'm tired."

Peter, seeing the tired Prince John, asked,

"Your Highness, did the conversation go well?"

"It went well. Anyway, those Greeks are really a headache. I almost died listening to their endless talk. Peter, bring me some milk quickly, I need to grow taller."

"Is there a reason you are so fixated on your height?"

"To become a better-looking man."

What does growing taller have to do with being better-looking?

Sometimes he talks about such incomprehensible things, but Prince John is a good lord.

So Peter wrote a letter.

The letter is filled with all kinds of French-style poetry,

But the core message is that he absolutely will not become a servant of the Lord.

Thus, the history of England began to change slowly.

Mary de Clare (1)